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Jets NEED to win the game

April 14, 2019, 12:42 PM ET [32 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The title of this blog is the most obvious statement that ever existed.



And this is the line-up that will achieve this task.



The question becomes what took so long to put TLC or any hybrid version of it back together? In that games leading up to the playoffs there were times when the line was together and they were dominant, just like their old selves. Why not on Friday night? Why not before down the long slide since January?

The defence rests.

It seems that there's nothing wrong there and that in game two they were fine. There is no opposing argument or anything- the defence is what it is for Paul Maurice. And this tweet from Rob Cleave sums it all up:





Is this roster good enough to win tonight and Tuesday to tie this series and turn it into a best of 3? It has to be if the Jets have any hope. Now what's the plan?

Well back to hope again as the needs to have Hellebuyck not be what he was on Friday- soft. They also have to do what they did without score effects playing a role, generate shot volume at a decent rate and make life difficult for Binnington and to do that will require a forecheck that wins battles on the boards.

The defence, as it stands has to have some better reads at times, particularly when they have to switch and read the Blues' cycle game. They also have to find some lanes for shots that are not about being right on net but getting a puck through so that flinging it around the boards is not the only option. The Blues have keyed in on this tendency and are disrupting any recovery with decent frequency.

Finally the Jets need something from Hayes and the depth players. It's time for Hayes to stand up and make an impact. He doesn't have to be all things amazing but he does have to do one or two things well and so far he's a bit of a deer in the headlights.

The Blues will adjust too, but their tweaks will likely be in game as they see what the Jets do. Not the tactics and in-game work begins as the Jets status quo is not good enough and the Blues are sitting with a 2-0 lead waiting to see what a desperate team does.
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